Types of circular DNA in Eukarya

Abstract

In eukaryotic cells, DNA occurs mainly in a linear chromosomes. In addition, it can also take the form of circular molecules. Mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes are the most thoroughly studied circular DNAs. However, the repertoire of circular DNA in Eukarya is much broader. It also includes extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA): circular forms of rDNA, telomeric circles, small polydisperse DNA, microDNA, and other types of eccDNA of nuclear origin. The occurrence of eccDNA has been confirmed in all organisms tested so far. Previous studies have shown that some eccDNAs are present at every stage of the cell cycle, while others appear and/or accumulate under specific circumstances. It has been proven that eccDNA accumulation accompanies severe genome destabilization caused by malignancies or stress conditions. Despite growing interest in eccDNA, they remain a poorly understood component of eukaryotic genomes. Still little is known about the mechanisms of their formation, evolution and biological functions.